Columbus firefighters, who delayed 2009 pay raises to help balance the city budget, now might
become the first city workers to accept a higher share of their pension costs.

Firefighters and city officials said yesterday that they've agreed to a two-year contract
extension that would increase employees' pension contributions from the current 2.5 percent of
yearly salaries to 4.5 percent by 2012.

The proposed contract includes pay raises of 2.5 percent on June 1, 2010, and 3 percent on June
1, 2011.

According to city officials, the pension changes would save Columbus $2.3 million over two
years. Members of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 67 could vote on the
contract as early as next week, and City Council approval would be needed after that.

The wage increases, by percentage, are smaller than those in the current contract, which would
expire in May. They would cost more than $8 million over two years.

Firefighters were supposed to receive a 4 percent raise June 1 but agreed to defer the increase.
Union President Jack Reall said yesterday that firefighters will take that raise, which isn't
retroactive, in December. They received 3 percent raises for 2007 and 2008.

Reall said the contract-extension terms are fair for taxpayers and union members and show that
Columbus firefighters "are more concerned about the city's financial stability than anything
else."

"Neither one of us needed to spend time or resources in lengthy negotiations," he said.

Firefighters were the only union members who agreed to Mayor Michael B. Coleman's request in
January that organized labor accept a pay freeze to protect jobs and services.

Along with the other unions, firefighters endorsed the city income-tax increase approved by
voters in August.

City leaders vowed during that campaign to pursue bigger employee pension contributions and
other savings that would total $150 million during the next decade.

"To see that kind of movement right out of the gate is very encouraging," Coleman spokesman Dan
Williamson said.

Bob Howarth, who led an economic-advisory panel that recommended pension changes and the tax
increase, praised the agreement.

"We never expected them to ask (workers) to take over the entire contribution immediately," he
said. "This is substantial progress."

Columbus spent about $43 million last year to pay pension contributions that most other
government workers -- for the state, Ohio State University, Columbus schools and Franklin County --
pay themselves.

State pension systems require workers to pay 10 percent of their salaries toward their
retirement benefits. Columbus picks up 7.5 percent for firefighters and police and the full 10
percent for everyone else.

A report released Friday by a city-hired consultant classified the pension pickup as a "rich
benefit" for city workers and recommended that Columbus reduce its contribution in exchange for
higher pay.

The administration distanced itself from that idea immediately, saying it wants pension changes
that result in savings. Williamson said the firefighter raises are well within normal ranges and
shouldn't be viewed as a trade-off.

Coleman is likely to propose higher pension contributions for nonunion workers when he submits a
2010 city budget in mid-November. During the tax campaign, the mayor promised "tangible" savings in
the pay and benefits he and council members set unilaterally for their own staffs.

The city is negotiating now with two other unions -- representing police and civilian
professionals -- that have been without a contract since December.